Water heating apparatus



June 13, G V DYCK WATER HEATING APPARATUS Filed May '7, 1957 INVENTOR.George Van Dyck BY @m Egan? 2,988,062 WATER HEATING APPARATUS George VanDyck, 1005 SW. Market Road, Oswego, Oreg. Filed May 7, 12857,- Ser. No.657,610 Claims. (Cl. 122-328) This invention pertains to water heatingdevices, and relates particularly to a novel construction for heatingapparatus of the water tube type, for the generation of hot water orsteam.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide waterheating apparatus of the water tube type, in which there is achievedmaximum heat transfer from the fuel to the water.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of waterheating apparatus of the water tube type, constructed in such manner asto effect maximum preheating of the water before the latter reaches thezone of maximum heat, thereby reducing to a minimum the formation ofcarbon on the water tubes.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provideheating apparatus of the water tube type, constructed in such manner asto insure that the hot gases of combustion contact all of the watertubes and transfer maximum heat thereto prior to being exhausted.

A still further important object of this invention is to provide heatingapparatus of the water tube type in which the foregoing objectives arerealized in a compact construction which utilizes a minimum of space.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention willappear from the following detailed description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a View in front elevation of heating apparatus embodying thefeatures of the present invention, parts thereof being broken away todisclose details of construction;

FIGURE 2 is a view in side elevation of the heating apparatus shown inFIGURE 1, with parts thereof broken away to disclose details ofconstruction; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIGURE 2 withadditional parts being broken away to further disclose details ofconstruction.

The heating apparatus of the present invention includes a base platehaving laterally spaced upstanding side legs 12. Mounted upon andsecured firmly to each of these spaced legs is a longitudinaldistributor pipe 14, 16. These distributor pipes are interconnectedadjacent their forward and rear ends by transverse distributor pipes 18,20, respectively, thereby affording complete circulation of watertherethrough.

A plurality of water tubes are connected at their lower ends to thespaced longitudinal distributor pipes for communication therewith. Thelower sections of the water tubes extend obliquely upward toward theside opposite the distributor pipe to which they are connected.Preferably the tubes are spaced apart longitudinally so that the lowersections cross alternately in a symmetrical interlaced pattern, as bestshown in FIGURE 1. Thus, the lower sections of tubes have lower portions22a, 24a and upper portions 22b, 2412, with respect to their point ofcrossing. The intermediate sections 220, 240 of the tubes extend upward,substantially vertical, and the upper sections 22d, 24d convergeupwardly for connection at their upper ends to an enlarged header 26.

Additional water tubes 28 extend upwardly from the spaced longitudinaldistributor pipes 14, 16, without crossing, and are connected at theirupper ends to the header 26. In the preferred construction illustrated,certain of these tubes, identified as 28', are offset laterally outwardfrom the vertical plane of the remaining tubes, for purposes describedmore fully hereinafter. In the 2,988,062 Patented June 13, 1961 iceembodiment illustrated, every fourth one of the tubes isso arranged.

Additional water tubes 30 preferably are provided to interconnect therear transverse distributor pipe 20 and the header 26. As illustrated,these tubes converge upwardly in a substantially vertical plane.

Spaced rearwardly from the tubes 30 is at least one water return tube,which interconnects the header and distributor. In the embodimentillustrated, there are provided two water return tubes 32 each of whichis connected at its lower end to the rearward end of one of thelongitudinal distributor pipes 14, 16 respectively. These return tubesconverge upwardly for connection to the header, as illustrated.

A plurality of extensions 34 are provided, one at each end of thelongitudinal spaced distributor pipes 14,16. These may be capped, asillustrated, and utilized as cleanout openings. In the event the heatingapparatus is to be employed with a hot water heating system, one or moreof these extensions may serve as a connection for returning the cooledwater. Additional extensions 36, preferably of smaller diameter thanextensions 34, project radially from the laterally spaced distributorpipes 14, 16 in axial alignment with the transverse pipes 18, 20. Theseextensions may be utilized to perform the dual function of cleanoutopenings for the transverse distributor pipes and also for the return ofcondensate in steam heating systems. A water or steam outlet 38 isprovided at the top of the header 26.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings,the upper portions 22b and 24b of the oblique cross lower sections ofwater tubes and a portion of the intermediate sections 22c, 24c, form asupport for a firebox. As illustrated, the firebox preferably isconstructed of fire brick, and includes a bottom 40, side walls 42 andfront and rear walls 44, 46, respectively. The front wall 44 preferablyis positioned adjacent the front end of the tube assembly and isprovided with an opening through which a fuel burner nozzle 48 mayextend. The rear wall 46 preferably is spaced a distance forwardly fromthe rear tubes 30, and the top of the firebox is open.

The combustion gases are exhausted from the heating apparatus adjacentthe bottom rearward end thereof, through an outlet pipe 50. This outletpipe is connected to the interior of the heating apparatus by means of afiue box 52 which is mounted upon the base frame 10. The rearward end ofthe flue box is provided with a circular opening adapted to receive theoutlet pipe. The forward end of the flue box is open, and the upper wall54 thereof preferably is shaped to conform to the plane of the undersurface of the lower portions 220, 24a of oblique crossed tubes. As bestshown in FIG- URES 2 and 3, the forward end of the flue box terminatesrearwardly of the crossed tubes and quite close to the rearward side ofthe vertically disposed rear tubes 30.

An insulating jacket is provided to confine the heat within thearrangement of tubes and header. In the embodiment illustrated thejacket is formed by applying a plaster type insulation material to awire screen base which is stretched about and secured to the outersurface of the water tubes and header. Referring particularly to FIGURES1 and 3 of the drawings, it is to be noted that the side insulationwalls 56 abut against the few outwardly displaced tubes 28', therebyafiording passage of the hot combustion gases completely around themajority of tubes 28. The rear insulation wall 58 extends between therear vertically disposed water tubes 30 and the return water tubes 32,32, and closely encloses the forward section of the flue box 52. Thefront insulation wall 60 extends across the front of the firebox,between the header 26 and the base plate 10. The entire unit preferablyis enclosed by a metal shell 62 as illustrated.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided forcirculating combustion gases insuch manner as to insure the heating ofall of the water tubes before the combustion gases are exhausted to theoutlet. Such means is provided in the embodiment illustrated by a baffleplate 64 which is supported upon the upper surfaces of the lowerportions 22a, 24a of the oblique crossed tubes. The bafiie plate isformed with a central longitudinal slot 66, dimensioned to receivetherein the crossed segments of tubes. The rearward end of the baffleplate preferably is notched to fit around the vertically arranged reartubes 30 and to abut against the rear insulation wall 58, whereby toprevent the escape of combustion gases at said rear insulation walldirectly to the flue box. The side edges of the b'afiie plate abutagainst the distributor pipes 14, 16 which thus provides a seal with theside walls of the insulation jacket. The forward end of the baflieterminates rearwardly of the front end of the crossed tubes, asillustrated in FIG- URES 2 and 3, to provide a forward open space forcirculation of the combustion gases from above the baffle plateforwardly and downward to the space below the baflle plate. Thus, thebaffie plate effectively divides the interior of the heating apparatusinto upper and lower compartments which are interconnected at theirforward ends. In this manner, it is assured that all of the hotcombustion gases must pass over all of the water tubes before enteringthe outlet pipe 50.

The operation of the heating apparatus described hereinbefore is asfollows: The apparatus may be fired with any conventional form ofcombustible fuel, such as gas or oil. Upon ignition, the hot combustiongases travel upward and rearward, providin maximum heat along the undersurface of the header 2d. The combustion gases then travel laterallyoutward and downward through the space between the side walls 42 of thefirebox and the side walls 56 of the insulation jacket, to the spacebetween the bottom 40 of the fire box and the upper surface of thebaffle plate 64-. Some of the combustion gases also travel downwardlybetween the rear wall 46 of the firebox and the rearinsulation wall 58,thereby transferring heat to the rear vertically extending tubes 30.

Since the rearward edge of the baffle plate forms a seal with the rearinsulation wall 58 and the side edges of the bafiie plate form a sealwith the side walls 56of the insulation jacket, the combustion gasesabove the bafile plate are forced to travel to the forward end of thebafile plate, thus transferring heat to the upper portions 22b, 24b ofthe oblique crossed tubes which form the base support for the firebox.The combustion gases then travel downward and rearward through the spacebetween the baffle plate 64 and the base plate 10, and thus are causedto transfer additional heat to the lower portions 22a, 24a of theoblique crossed tubes and to the distributor pipes. The spent combustiongases then enter the forward end of the flue box 52; and are exhaustedto the atmosphere through the outlet pipe 50.

By virtue of the foregoing construction it will be appreciated thatwater supplied to the distributor pipes is subjected to maximumpro-heating as it is delivered to the header. This action not onlyaffords maximum utilization of the fuel, but also inhibits the formationof carbon deposits upon the tubes and header, thus reducing maintenanceand repair to a minimum.

To illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the heating apparatusconstruction described hereinbefore, such apparatus was constructed withouter dimensions of 6 feet high, 4 feet wide and 6 feet long. When firedwith gas or oil to produce steam at 10% p.s.i. the exhaust gases at theoutlet were found to be about 250 Ii, and when fired to produce steam at150 p.s.i. the exhaust hibit deposition of carbon.

gases were about 300 F. In both cases the steam condensate for theheating system was recycled to the distributor. When the steamcondensate was not recycled and fresh cold water was introducedcontinuously to the distributor, the .temperature of the exhaust gaseswas reduced about 50 In all cases of operation, condensation of water onthe inlet distributor and carbon formation on the watertubes were,substantially eliminated.

From the foregoingit is believed to be apparent that the heatingapparatus of the present invention provides for maximum efliciency ofheat transfer from a combustible fuel to water, in a system of minimumsize. This is achieved by providing a specific path for the circulationof combustion gases. The arrangement disclosed alfords maximumpre-heating of the water, through mmimum heat transfer, wherebysimultaneously to in- In this manner maximum efficiency is achieved andthe problem of maintenance and repair is reduced to a minimum.

' 'It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various detailsof the construction described hereinbefore may be changed withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of this invention. Accordingly, itis to be understood that the foregoing description is primarilyillustrative of the invention and is not to be considered as limitingthe scope thereof. 7

Having now described my invention and the manner in which the same maybe used, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letter Patent is:

1. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom,top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated waterdistributor means in the casing adjacent the bottom'thereof, a header inthe casing adjacent the top thereof, water tubes in the casinginterconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion ofsaid water tubes extending to the side opposite their connection to thedistributor means and then upward to the header, whereby to form crossedwater tubes intermediate the top and bottom of the casing, substantiallyimperforate baffle means supported by the crossed Water tubes andspanning the horizontal dimension of and dividing the easing into upperand lower compartments which communicate with each other only at theforward end of the casing, the lower compartment including thedistributor means and lower portions of the crossed water tubes, meansfor injecting combustible fuel into the upper compartment, and a rearoutlet communicating only with, the lower compartment, the gases ofcombustion thereby being caused to circulate first through the uppercompartment and thence downwardly in front of the bafiie means andrearwardly through the lower compartment to said outlet. 7

2. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom,top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated waterdistributor means in .the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, a headerin the casing adjacent the top thereof, water tubes in the casinginterconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion ofsaid water tubes extending obliquely upward to the side oppositetheir'connection to the distributor means and then vertically upward tothe header, whereby to form crossed water tubes intermediate the top andbottom of the casing, substantially imperforate baffle means mounted onthe lower portions of the oblique crossed water tubes and spanning thehorizontal dimension of the casing for dividing the easing into upperand lower compartments which communicate with each other only at theforward end of the casing, the upper compartment including "the headerand upper portions of the crossed water tubes, the lower compartmentincluding the distributor means and lower portions of the crossed watertubes, means for injecting combustible fuel into the upper compartment,and a rearoutlet communicating only with the lower compartment, thegases ofcombustion thereby being caused to circulate first through theupper compartment and thence downwardly in front of the baffle means andrearwardly through the lower compartment to said outlet.

3. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom,top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated waterdistributor means in the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, a header inthe casing adjacent the top thereof, water tubes in the casinginterconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion ofsaid water tubes extending to the side opposite their connection to thedistributor means and then upward to the header, whereby to form crossedwater tubes intermediate the top and bottom of the casing, a combustiblefuel firebox mounted on and supported by the crossed portions of thecrossed water tubes and being open at its top and having bottom and sidewalls spaced respectively from the bottom and side walls of the casing,substantially imperforate bafile means spanning the horizontal dimensionof and dividing the casing into upper and lower compartments whichcommunicate with each other only at the forward end of the casing, theupper compartment including the header and firebox, the lowercompartment including the distributor means and at least the lowerportions of the crossed water tubes, means for injecting combustiblefuel into the firebox, and a rear outlet communicating only with thelower compartment, the gases of combustion thereby being caused tocirculate first through the upper compartment and thence downwardly infront of the baffle means and rearwardly through the lower compartmentof said outlet.

4. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom,top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated waterdistributor means in the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, a header inthe casing adjacent the top thereof, Water tubes in the casinginterconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion ofsaid water tubes extending obliquely upward to the side opposite theirconnection to the distributor means and then vertically upward to theheader, whereby to form crossed water tubes intermediate the top andbottom of the casing, a combustible fuel firebox mounted on the upperportions of the oblique crossed water tubes and being at its top andhaving bottom and side walls spaced respectively from the bottom andside Walls of the casing, substantially imperforate baflie means mountedon the lower portions of the oblique crossed water tubes and spanningthe horizontal dimension of the casing for dividing the casing intoupper and lower compartments which communicate with each other only atthe forward end of the casing, the upper compartment including theheader, firebox, and upper portions of the crossed water tubes, thelower compartment including the distributor means and lower portions ofthe crossed water tubes, means for injecting combustible fuel into thefirebox, and a rear outlet communicating only with the lower compartment, the gases of combustion thereby being caused to circulatefirst through the upper compartment and thence downwardly in front ofthe bafiie means and rearwardly through the lower compartment to saidoutlet.

5. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom,top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated waterdistributor means in the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, a header inthe casing adjacent the top thereof, water tubes in the casing extendingalong the side and rear walls of the casing and interconnecting thedistributor means and header, at least a portion of said water tubesextending obliquely upward to the side opposite their connection to thedistributor means and then vertically upward to the header, whereby toform crossed water tubes intermediate the top and bottom of the casing,a combustible fuel firebox mounted on the upper portions of the obliquecrossed water tubes and being open at its top and having bottom, rear,and side walls spaced respectively from the bottom, rear and side wallsof the casing, substantially imperforate baffle means mounted on thelower portions of the oblique crossed water tubes and spanning thehorizontal dimension of the casing for dividing the easing into upperand lower compartments which communicate with each other only at theforward end of the casing, the upper compartment including the header,firebox and upper portions of the crossed water tubes, the lowercompartment including the distributor means and lower portions of thecrossed water tubes, means for injecting combustible fuel into thefirebox, and a rear outlet communicating only with the lowercompartment, the gases of combustion thereby being caused to circulatefirst through the upper compartment and thence downwardly in front ofthe bafile means and1 rearwardly through the lower compartment to saidout et.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS673,494 Burke May 7, 1901 1,938,705 Magis Dec. 12, 1933 2,342,148 KeenanFeb. 22, 1944 2,814,280 Rempel Nov. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,000France Sept. 26, 1905

